Remembering The Father of Baseball: Henry Chadwick

HENRY CHADWICK

1824 ~ 1908

GREEN-WOOD CEMETERY

BROOKLYN

Commemorating Henry Chadwick, the Father of Baseball, Whom Passed Away on This Day 112 Years Ago.

How is it that a transplanted Englishman in New York City one day decides he will transform a little known game of baseball into America's National Pastime?

His pen is truly mightier than the sword, or in this case a baseball bat.  As the game's ultimate propagandist Henry Chadwick's journalistic endeavors influence an entire nation.  The Washington Nationals great tour of the mid 1860's prove his efforts invaluable with respect to growing the game.  Since base-ball's earliest days he wields great influence; serves as its moral compass and greatest proponent; the first dedicated chronicler; the game's first historian; inventor of statistical analysis and the scoring system; and is an esteemed member of the Rules Committee.  In a match between the Atlantics and Red Stockings (1869), Chadwick even authorizes the first ever extra inning contest.

Chadwick believes in science and is agreeable to a certain level of baseball Darwinism.  Once considered in its earliest days the primary allure of baseball matches, DEFENSE as a consideration takes a back seat to the pitcher vs. batter confrontation instigated by the likes of James Creighton, and is again brushed aside in the boxscore in favor of more offensive related information.  But there are more drastic upheavals to come.  A baseball loyalist at heart Henry always seems at first resistive regarding changes, be it due to encroaching  professionalism, the National Association, the American Association, Players League, and even the National League, but ultimately comes around and praises their respective merits.

After spending decades nurturing the game, Chadwick's prestige in the age of baseball as a business comes into conflict with new western powers.  And by the turn of the century Chadwick's prominence is under heavy siege.  Henry Wright and William Hulbert among others, some being his long-time friends, postulate Chadwick is inflicting harm to baseball due to his cries denouncing gambling and alcoholism at games.  

Were they correct?  

The ultimate showdown features Henry Chadwick versus Albert Spalding and the Mills Commission tasked with researching the origins of baseball, plus the underlying matter of American nationalism and strong anti-English sentiment.  Chadwick believes baseball is evolved from the old English game of Rounders.  The well respected John Montgomery Ward theorizes baseball evolved from Old Cat.  His case is sound.  But is Ward right?

In the end, it seems Chadwick's detractors all acknowledged he was indubitably correct and righteous in his historical analysis, admitting as much upon his passing at 84-years of age.

Does Chadwick die a vindicated man?

Author Andrew Schiff discusses it all in his biography of Henry Chadwick, the Father of Baseball.